“IF women stop, the world stops.”
That was the powerful message delivered by the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) as it marked International Women’s Day with a concert in Suva, highlighting the often invisible yet essential unpaid care work carried out by women across Fiji.
The concert brought together musicians, activists and members of the public to celebrate women’s resilience while drawing attention to persistent gender inequalities.
Speaking at the event, FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh said International Women’s Day must remain focused on advancing women’s rights and addressing the structural barriers that continue to affect women.
“At its core, International Women’s Day is about advancing rights and equality by assessing the progress made on gender equality and the structural barriers that remain – from gender-based violence and economic inequality to unequal political representation and unpaid care work,” Singh said.
She said the day should also serve as an opportunity to hold those in power accountable and amplify the voices and leadership of women, particularly those from marginalised communities.
Singh also warned that the meaning of the day has been increasingly diluted by commercialisation.
“In many places, International Women’s Day has become commercialised and reduced to corporate hashtags, discounted products or symbolic gestures. While recognition is important, the real spirit of the day is not symbolic empowerment – it is structural transformation,” she said.
She added that some themes promoted on the day do not originate in the women’s movement or the United Nations and risk shifting the focus away from genuine advocacy.
According to Singh, key gender challenges in the Pacific include high rates of gender-based violence, economic participation gaps and climate injustice that disproportionately impacts women.
Increasing women’s representation in leadership and ensuring access to comprehensive sexuality education also remain priorities.
“Ultimately, International Women’s Day is a checkpoint and a catalyst,” Singh said.
“It asks: Where are we? Who is being left behind? What must change now? The real focus is not flowers—definitely not cake—it is freedom.”